Tired of ‘traditional’ holiday parades? We have just the event for you

The small, quiet community of Boykin is known for its historic mill pond, a general store, a steakhouse – and, at the holidays, something a bit wackier.

Boykin, typically a quiet agricultural community, erupts every year into a vibrant display of color, character and Christmas spirit in the form of the Boykin Christmas Parade.

And last year, about 13,000 people crowded into the Kershaw County town of about 150 to take it all in.

This year’s event is on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Belger, who is on the parade committee, said the event is chock-full of surprises, as well as a sense of friendly competition among parade participants for the most “out-there” float.

And, they get pretty “out there.” Previous years have yielded a manure spreader with the theme of “spreading Christmas joy,” a float filled with fishermen sporting mullet hairstyles, and llamas.

One secret Belger wanted to keep to himself was what vehicle will Santa Claus will use in the parade. In previous years, he has parachuted into the parade and ridden on an ox.

“We have some very creative folks that put floats together,” he said. “What Santa Claus rides is always a big surprise.”

Sue and George Sensor of Camden will serve as the grand marshals of the parade. Belger said they are being honored for their support of the horse industry and fox hunting. They will come in on a horse-drawn carriage, one of the more traditional parts of the parade.

“They’ve just been real contributors to Kershaw County in general,” he said.

Another more traditional aspect of the event will follow the parade – a gospel concert organized by Boykin-area choirs and churches at Swift Creek Baptist Church, 45 Boykin Mill Road.

Belger said the parade was the brain child of his mother-in-law, Alice Boykin, and family friend Bill Bundy.

The two wanted a way to give back to the community, spread Christmas cheer and have a good excuse to see friends, neighbors and family during a hectic season.

“It’s a busy time of year,” he said. “It seems like a good place for everyone to come out and spend the day and have good fellowship.”

The parade is in its 22nd year, and Belger said he has seen it grow significantly since its inception. Spectators will come from as far away as Ohio and Florida, and float participants regularly come from Spartanburg and Greenville.

Belger credits the parade’s volunteers for allowing the parade to develop into what it is today, fulfilling that sense of fellowship and togetherness the founders originally intended.

And, of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s the most unusual parade around.

“The whole community really comes together and helps this event,” he said. “… It’s not one person. It’s everybody working together to make it happen.”